Cast announced for ABC1’s Mystery of a Hansom Cab

ABC has now formally announced casting details for The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, the telemovie first revealed by TV Tonight, based on the classic murder mystery written by Fergus Hume.

Written and published in Melbourne in 1886, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab was the first great international crime blockbuster – it was released the year before Arthur Conan Doyle’s first Sherlock Holmes mystery.

The story revolves around the death of a gentleman in the back of a hansom cab after a night on the town. Two men get into a hansom cab. Only one gets out alive.

The cast is headed up by John Waters, Shane Jacobson, Chelsie Preston Crayford, Helen Morse and Anna McGahan. It also includes Gerry Connolly, Felix Williamson, Brett Climo, Marco Chiappi, Oliver Ackland and Jessica De Geow.

The tale has been made into a movie three times, but the last was in 1926. This version will be produced by Burberry Entertainment, written by Glen Dolman (Hawke), with Margot McDonald (The Dunera Boys, Nancy Wake) as producer and Shawn Seet (Underbelly: Tell Them Lucifer was Here, SLiDE, Rescue Special Ops) directing.

“We are thrilled to be making this stunning period piece, which exquisitely depicts Melbourne in the midst of a 19th century population and economic boom”, said Ewan Burnett, CEO of Burberry Entertainment.

Carole Sklan, Head of ABC TV Fiction, says “We’re delighted to be bringing this compelling Australian murder mystery to ABC TV. It is a true classic, the story keeps surprising, and the creative team at Burberry have brought together a wonderful cast.”

2 Comments:

I’d probably watch it. Fun fact to know that the first Sherlock Holmes story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was published in Beeton’s Christmas Annual. The thing that shocked me was when I saw the front cover for the first time probably 20 years after I found out about it. Because what is not mentioned is where they were published. Which is London, New York and Melbourne. Yep Melbourne. You can see the front cover for yourself on Wikipedia if you look up “Study in Scarlet” .